Team Allocation Policy

The Hills Hawks Football Club aims to offer an appropriately competitive environment where players can develop their skills, test themselves against their peers and build friendships.

Playing with and against players of similar abilities increases participation in games, builds confidence and helps develop the values that are vital in any team sport.

As players improve from one year to the next, new players join the Club and some age groups experience an increase or decrease in numbers, it is Club policy to grade players at the start of each season in order to place them in teams that best match their abilities.

This policy applies to all players who participate in GHFA competition. (It is also an obligation of GHFA membership.)

For non-competitive age groups (currently Under 6s to Under 9s), the Club will endeavour to group players based on their friendships and school allegiances, subject to availability. Please see separate section on MINI SOCCER.

For all competitive age groups, players will be graded on the basis of (i) their Coach’s Report from the previous season, and (ii) their performance at pre-season Grading Days, as determined by the Club’s Grading Committee.

If deemed necessary by the Grading Committee, players may also be assessed on their performances at pre-season Trial Games.

Please note that grading is subject to division allocations made by the GHFA and the numbers of players registered in each age group at the Club.

If there is only one Hills Hawks’ team in a particular age group, grading will only be required if there are sufficient new registrations to warrant the formation of a second team.

Members who cannot attend Grading Days will be assessed solely on their Coach’s Reports, provided they played for the Club in the previous season.

All new members will be assessed solely on their performance on Grading Days.

To be graded, a player must have registered with the Club by the due date and have paid the membership fee in full.

Grading Days (one or two sessions as determined by the Club prior to each season) will assess each player’s individual abilities in relation to specific skills (control, passing, etc) and general athleticism (speed, stamina, etc).

Assessments will be correlated to the previous season’s Coach’s Report with regards to how the player applies these skills and abilities within a team and in a competitive environment.

The Grading Committee will be made up of the Vice President Competition, Club Coach, Registrar and selected Committee members as nominated by the President. Parents are not allowed to directly assess their own children.

All players will be notified of their team allocation prior to commencement of the season proper.

Queries on team allocations should be made in writing to the Vice President Competition prior to Trial Games, but please note that the decisions of the Grading Committee are final.

It is the responsibility of the Grading Committee to promote the betterment of the Club as a whole. While individual disappointment may result from the grading process, please be assured that the Club’s decisions are made with the best of intentions for all of its members.

FAQ

Can I ask for my child to be placed in a higher or lower team?

A preference can be noted at registration, but placement will be made primarily according to the assessment process. The preference will only be taken into account if there are players of similar ability in a group that could equally go into the higher or lower teams.

Can I ask for my child to be placed with their prior year’s team?

A preference can be noted at registration, but placement will be made primarily according to the assessment process. The preference will be taken into account only if there are players of similar ability in a group that could equally go into the higher or lower teams.

Can I ask for my child to be placed with a group of friends?

This can be noted at registration, but (with the exception of Mini Soccer) we advise that there is limited ability for the assessors to factor in social networks through grading.

Can I ask for my child to be placed in a higher age group?

This can be noted at registration, but we advise that this preference can only be taken into account if (a) the player is graded at a level that’s appropriate, and (b) placement does not disadvantage team numbers in either the higher or proper age groups.

My child has personal circumstances that I would like the club to take into account during the grading process. Can this be accommodated?

Yes, please make personal contact with the Registrar between registration and the grading closure. We cannot commit that all requests will be accommodated; however, we will endeavour to assist where possible.

I am new to the Club. Is preference given to those who have been with the Club in previous seasons?

We allow prior year members to be assessed with their prior year coach’s input. However, once in the grading process, a new player will be assessed on equal terms to players who have been with the Club in previous seasons.

If I am unhappy with the outcome of the grading process, what can I do?

Please put your concerns in writing to the Club President. Please note, however, that it will be very difficult for the Club – and potentially disturbing to the children – to make changes to teams after announcement. Therefore please make contact prior to grading conclusion.